Brussels is the place to be. The time-trial competed in the streets of the Belgian capital is conquered by Bernard Hinault.

Last visit of the Tour. Italian Alessandro Petacchi wins after a bunched sprint. Whether by chance or coincidence, after the start in Roubaix, the race would include on its course Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, the common where the Merckx family had its grocery store.

The sprint of the first half-stage was claimed by Marino Basso, but Merckx took command of the general classification in the after-noon after the team timetrial.

At home, in front of his fans. To start his Tour life in yellow could have satisfied the young conqueror who was already focused on the future after that dream day: Now the other goal is to bring it back there.

The race plan was respected when he carried the Jersey during kms on a solo breakaway to Mourenx while he had already won the race.

His mission was accomplished on the Velodrome de La Cipale. And destiny that year saw the race finish on the eve of the Belgian National Day… a perfect calendar as the national hero returned on home soil: The Grand Place of Brussels was packed with people.

I realised that I had won the Tour de France and that was already a childhood dream. It really was a day like no other! Brussels Airport is 12km from Brussels city centre, while Brussels South Charleroi Airport is 45km from the city centre.

Wednesday, July 3 opening of the headquarters and press centre at Brussels Expo. By browsing this site, you accept the use of Cookies in order to offer to you an advertising tailored to your interests, and to perform traffic statistics.

The City of Brussels is divided into several different areas: Het etappeschema voor de Tour van is nog niet bekendgemaakt. Dat zal waarschijnlijk pas in het najaar van gebeuren.